Spain has once again demonstrated its global tourism appeal, recording a historic surge in international visitors and tourist spending in the first five months of 2025. With over 35 million foreign tourists visiting the country between January and May, Spain experienced a 5.5% year-on-year growth, according to the INE (Instituto Nacional de Estadística). Even more remarkable is the €46.6 billion in tourism-related revenue, an 8.1% increase from the same period in 2024.
This booming tourism sector not only reinforces Spain’s economic resilience but also opens up new real estate and investment opportunities, especially in high-demand regions such as Costa del Sol, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands.
Who Is Coming to Spain And From Where?
The rise in tourism is largely driven by Spain’s traditional top three source markets:
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 6.8 million visitors (+6.9% YoY)
- 🇫🇷 France: 4.6 million visitors (+3.9%)
- 🇩🇪 Germany: 4.5 million visitors (+1.8%)
These countries alone account for a significant portion of overall international arrivals. British travelers led in both visitor numbers and spending contributing nearly 17% of all foreign tourist spending.
Where the Money Is Going
Spain’s ability to attract high-spending tourists is central to its economic recovery and investment appeal. In the first five months:
- €46.6 billion was spent by international tourists
- +8.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024
- Average daily spend: €209 per person (+1.9%)
- Average trip length: 6.9 days
Top-Spending Nationalities
- British tourists: 16.9% of total spend
- Germans: 12.5%
- French: 8.1%
- Such robust spending patterns highlight Spain’s appeal to middle and upper-income travelers, making it a prime target for luxury property developers, investors, and the hospitality sector.
Destination Hotspots: Which Regions Are Thriving?
Spain’s diverse regional offerings continue to attract different tourist profiles from culture lovers to sun-seekers and nature explorers.
Top Regions by Tourist Volume:
- Catalonia: 7.3 million (+2.2%)
- Canary Islands: 6.8 million (+4.1%)
- Andalusia: 5.4 million (+9.6%)
Notably, Andalusia home to Costa del Sol, Marbella, and Estepona recorded the highest growth. This is especially important for investors and real estate professionals watching demand trends in the south of Spain.
A Closer Look at May 2025
Although May is usually the start of the summer travel season, this year it delivered mixed but historically significant results:
- 9.4 million visitors, a 1.5% increase YoY
- €12.2 billion spent, +4.9% compared to May 2024
- Highest single-month tourist spending ever recorded in Spain
This slight cooling in visitor growth compared to earlier months was more than offset by record-breaking spending performance, underlining the premiumization of Spain’s tourism economy.
Tourist Preferences: Hotels Still Lead, But Alternatives Rising
According to the INE report:
- Hotels remained the dominant accommodation choice, hosting 68.2% of overnight stays.
- Alternative options like private holiday homes or staying with friends/family saw a 10% rise in spending, indicating growing demand for flexible and personalized travel experiences.
- Leisure travel remains king, accounting for 84% of total spending in May (+4.6%).
These shifts highlight key opportunities for vacation rental platforms, boutique hotel operators, and tourism service providers to expand into alternative offerings.
Real Estate and Investment Implications
The strong growth in both tourist arrivals and high-spend profiles reaffirms Spain’s position as a top global destination for property investors:
- More tourists = More rental income potential for vacation property owners
- High-spending travelers = Demand for premium services and luxury homes
- Increased interest in Andalusia and Costa del Sol = Rising property values
If you are considering investing in Spanish real estate particularly in Marbella, Estepona, or Benahavís—this is a strategic time to act. The growing influx of tourists directly fuels the short-term rental market, driving ROI for property investors.
What’s Next?
With summer 2025 in full swing, all indicators point to another record-breaking year for Spain. As the country continues to attract more tourists from both established and emerging markets, infrastructure, real estate, and hospitality developments are expected to accelerate—particularly in coastal and cultural hotspots.
- Spain welcomed 35+ million tourists from Jan–May 2025
- Tourism revenue reached €46.6 billion (+8.1% YoY)
- Top regions: Andalusia, Canary Islands, and Catalonia
- British, German, and French tourists lead the market
- May saw record-breaking €12.2B in tourist spending
- Daily spend: €209; average trip: 6.9 days
- Hotels preferred, but alternative lodging is growing
- Leisure travel generated 84% of tourism revenue
- Real estate demand in Costa del Sol rising sharply
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